Student Spotlight: Samuel Perez

"I didn't know much about cooking. It just always came naturally to me," he explained.
"Soon it became more than just a job and I decided to turn my interest into a career."

He enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at College of DuPage in 2008 because it was
affordable, had a great reputation and offered flexible schedules that allowed him
to both work and take classes. Perez obtained an internship at Mon Ami Gabi in Oak
Brook, where Chef Bruce Williams praised him as one of the restaurant's best-ever
interns.

"Attending COD provided me with the tools I needed to land a job at Mon Ami Gabi,
a French restaurant where I used everything I learned in my classes," Perez said.
"Having learned all I did at COD, I feel more confident and encouraged to earn my
bachelor’s degree."

Perez graduated with his Associate in Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts in 2011
and now works as the lead cook at the Marriott in Rosemont.

"My goal is to take my studies and exercise them in well-known restaurants and become
a sous chef," he explained. "Also one day I hope to own my own restaurant. The time
I spent at COD has definitely help me accomplish a lot in my field."

College of DuPage Addison Center

College of DuPage Addison Center is located in the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) on the east side of Swift Road, north of North Avenue and south of Army Trail Road. Swift Road is approximately 3/4 mile west of Route 53 or I-355.

College of DuPage Lisle location

The Lisle location is home to the College of DuPage Foundation, Center of Entrepreneurship and WorkNet Force. College of DuPage Lisle is located in the One Corporate Lakes building at the corner of Forbes and Cabot drives, just north of Warrenville Road.

College of DuPage Naperville Center

College of DuPage Naperville Center is located on the south side of Rickert Drive. Rickert Drive is accessed by turning north from 75th Street two miles west of Washington Street. From Route 59, travel east on 75th Street to Rickert Drive and turn north.

College of DuPage Westmont Center

College of DuPage Westmont Center is located on the west side of Pasquinelli Drive. Pasquinelli Drive is accessed by turning north from Ogden Avenue one block west of Route 83. The center entrance is immediately north of the bank.